Flexible operating mechanism



P. I. BILLINGSLEY. FLEXIBLE OPERATING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED- MAY 17, 1921.

Patented Aug. 1, 1922,

2 SAHEETSSHEET P. L. BILLINGSLEY.

FLEXIBLE OPERATING. MECHANISM. APPLICATION men MAYH, 1921.

, LQQQEJ @Memadl Aug. 11., 19225 2 SHEETS SHEET 2. -flkwu flrrommms' Y f? A A, 5/; 02/5345) PERCY L. BILLINGSLEY, 0 ORL'AIKTDG, FLORIDA.

FLEXIBLE OPERATING: MECHANISM.

Application filed May 1'7,

To all whom it 722.03 omw-x- "I'I Be it known that l l :or l lliniizjticsinr, a citizen oi the United res, reel fling at Orlando, in the county of orange and State 01 Florida, have invented certain new and us ful improvements in l lexible @perating lilechanism; and it do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will on able others skilled in the art to Which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to a flexiblc operating mechanism or" the kind disclosed in my co-pending application filed tie )tember 29, 191i), lie/rial No. 232L276, and aims to provide a novel and improved device oi? that kind, which is especially useful as a part of a carpcntering machine or apparatus, although useful for driving various rotary tools or implements, and permitting same to be readily moved about and brought to difllerent positions and angles for accomplishing the WOTlC at hand under practically all conditions and requirements.

Another object is the provision of a novel trucl; or carriage supporting the motor or other primeinover and the rizible mecha nism driven thereby, which truck or carriage has Wheels adapted to as Well as on the floor, ivorl ich, and the like, for the convenient movement of the machine from place to place.

A further object is the provision of novel means on such. truck or carriage for supporting the motor or prime mover and a swingarm or boom forming a part ol the flexible mechanism, and enabling various motors to be used and adjustmcuts n'uule to con 'l'orni then-std A still further object is the provision oi" such a mechanism havii'lg novel means oi adjustment :iior accomnuulating dillorent sizes or styles of motors, and for tightening the belts.

The invention has for another object the provision of novel means at the tree terminal oi the flexible mechanism for the attachment ot a saW mandrel, drill bit shank, or other similar member or shaft, and also a hearing or other member of a device or attachment for said end of the mechanism, the present mechanism beingintended especially for use with the attachments disclosed in my copending applications filed July 5, 1921, Serial Nos, 482,380, l82,381, 482,382 and el82,383, although other attachments or Spcciiica tion of 1921. Serial No. ($70,413.

devices can also be used for various purpo I 'lne machine or apparatus including the present mechanism and such attachments is especially useful as a carpentering machine to he used on the premises When a building in the course of construction, for facilitating the Working of WOOCl, such as ing board, either across, with or at an angle with tl e grain, with either a square or miter cut, or for boring into the Wood at different angles, or for 'mortising for door 1 Window pulleys, etc.

ll 1th the tore-going and other objects in view, which will be apparent as the descrip tion proceeds, the invention resides in the construction and arrangement 01 parts hereinatter described and claimed, it being understood that changes can be made Within the scope of What claimed Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated. in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a side elevation of the mecha- 9 is a section on the line 2--2 of .L, showing the truck or carriage and 1 parts in side elevation.

i sectional detail taken on the Z niu'. 1.

a longitudinal section on an en- 1 scale shi'nving tie hollow spindle or nor and accompanying parts, With the drel, shank or shaft in elevation. 5 is an enlarged section on the line 5-4; of Fi i.

The mechanism, generally considered, is somewhat the same as the mechanism disclosed in the first-named ci'ipendiug application, and, :tor the main part, similar rel.- crcnce munerals have been used in the lirstnamed and present applications.

In the improved construction, there is provided a turn table stand 1 supported on a movable truck or carriage 2, Which will be described in detail more fully hereinafter. A pair of uprights or posts 3 is se cured on the end portions of an elongated turntable 9, which also serves as a base for an electric motor 8 or other prime mover disposed between said posts. Said posts have the vertical slots 5 in which pivot bolts at disposed, to be clamped in various vertical positions, and a yoke 6 disposed astride the motor 8 has its arms mounted on the bolts 4 at the inner sides of the posts 3 for the swinging movement of said yoke thecarriage, as well as being Citlfi-llllt oi cured in place by. means of a set screw 1.2

carried by said sleeve. A shaft 13 is journaled in the bearings 12, and has a pulley wheel 14 secured on one terminal thereo't, which pulley wheel is connected by an endless belt 15 with a pulley wheel on the armature shaft of the motor 8.

At this point, it may be noted that motors or prime movers of different sizes or styles can be used, and after the motor is secured on the turntable or base 9, with its axis in the vertical plane of the slots 5, the bolts 4 are loosened and adjusted to make the pivot axis of the boom 10 coincide with the axis of the motor armature, whereby the belt 13 in swinging with the boom 10 is kept taut.

Furthermore, the sleeve 12" can be loosened for applying the belt 15, and then slid away from the yoke G tor tightening the belt when pulley wheels or belts of difi'erentsizes are used. 7

Suspendedor extending from the shaft- 13 is aflexible hanger or arm 17, which has a yoke 18 at its upper end provided with bean ings 19 at its ends embracing the shaft 13, within the yoke 12% whereby said yoke can swing around the axis of said shaft, thereby enabling the arml'l' to be swung forwardly and rearwardly or away from and town "d tical or up and down movement with the shaft 13 and boom 10. The arm 17 includes an upper section 20 havmg its upper end pivoted, as at 22, within the intermediate portion of the yoke 18, so that said section 20 can swing in a plane in which the axis of the shaft 13 and the yoke 18 are disposed,

the axis of the pivot 22 being at right angles 'with the axis oi? the shaft 1.3.

the axis of the section 23 is disposed.

A lower section 23 of? the arm is in alinement with the section 20 and has its lower end pivoted, as at 25, within the intermediate portionoi a yoke 26, whereby said section 23 and yoke '26 can swing relatively in a plane in which The arm 17 includes an intermediate section 27, the lower end portion of which has a bore or socket 28 threadedly receiving the section 23, and the section 20 has a socket 29 receiving the upper end of the section 27, for the sliding connection of the several sections of the arm. A coiled expansion spring 30 is disposed in the socket 29 and in confined between sections 20 and 27, whereby to separate them, and a lock nut 31 is screw-threaded on the section 23 to bear against the lower end.

the tool o of the section 27. The'nut 31 can be adjusted for adjusting the arm length-wise to increase or decrease its length, or to move the sections 20 and 27 toward one another, for compressing the spring 30, in order-to increase the tension thereo'f. The connection of the sections 20, 27 and 23 also permit said sections to turn with respect to one another, and the pivots 22 and 25 being at right angles with the axis of the arm 17, will permit the terminal yokes l8 and 26 and body portion 01 the arm composed of the sections 20, 27 and 23, to swing relatively to one another, in substantially the same manner as disclosed in the aforesaid application, for positioning the yoke 26 according to the work to be done.

Secured in the terminals of the yoke 26 are bushings 36 and 3", and a tubular spindle or arbor 37 is fitted for rotation in said bushings. A pulley wheel 42 18 secured on the spindle 37 by means of a set screw 42 and retains said spindle in place. Said tubular spindle or arbor receives a mandrel, shank or shaft 38 of a saw, drill bit, or other tool or implement, said shaft 38 (which it will be'termed for convenience) being slid rearwardly into said spindle, and the spindle having a screwthreaded portion 37 atits rear end into which the rear screw-threaded terminal 38 of the shaft 33 is screwed, and

the shaft has a collar 38 thereon to bear against the forward end of the spindle, for fastening the shaft securely in place so that it will rotate with the spindle for driving implement (not shown). The bushing is extended from the yoke 26, and has an ai'inular groove This is for the purpose of enabling a bearing 40 or other member to -be slipped on the extended portion of the bushing, for convenience in positioning or manipulating the spindle 37 and shaft 38, and a ball or catch 41 slidable in the hearing or member 40 is adapted to snap into the groove 39 under the influence ot a spring 41', for retaining the hearing or member 4.0 andyoke 26 in assembled relation, yet )e'1.'n'1itting them. to be pulled apart} In this way, the various attachments as disclosed in the copending applications hereinbe'liore referred to, can be used interchangeably with the operating; mechanism.

The spindle or arbor 37 is driven from the shaft 13, and, for this purpose, a pulley wheel 43 is secured on the shaft 13 within the yoke 18, and aflat belt 44 passes around the pulley wheels 42 and 43 and its opposite runs extend longitudinally along the arm 17 at opposite sides thereof. The belt 44 passes: the opposite ends of the pivots 22 and 25 edgewise, and to guide the belt and cause it to bend substantially the same the arm in the axes of the pivots: 22 and 25, guide rollers 45 and 46 are carried by the yokes 26 and 18, respectively, at the opposite sides of the yokes and at the opposite sides of the axes of the respective pivots. The belt at passes between the rollers of the pairs and said rollers guide the belt for movement in planes in which the axes of the pivots are disposed, and the belt is twisted between the pulley wheel a2 and rollers a5 and between the pulley wheel 13 and rollers 4.6. Said rollers are disposed to guide the belt in planes coinciding with the axes of the pivots 22 and 25 across the opposite ends of said pivots, so that the sections of the arm and terminal yokes thereof can swing relatively to one another, in which event the belt will bend over the rollers in substantially the same manner as the parts of the arm. This arrangement admits the use ot a flat belt, so that there is less liability of slipping, than if a round belt were used, because the belt has broad bearing surfaces against the pulleys. Furthermore, the rollers 4:5 and 46 will hold the runs of the belt in place when the sections of the arm are rotated relatively by the provision of the swivel connections between them. The spring 30 in exerting a tension to elongate the arm, will keep the belt l i taut. The rollers are mounted on axle pins 4L7 ex tending through the yoke 26, and the terminals of said pins, at the opposite sides, are preferably connected by means of cross bars 48 secured thereon. The rollers 46 are similarly mounted on axle pins 49 extending through the yoke 18.

The arm or boom 10 and arm or hanger 17 suspended therefrom are counter-balanced. Thus, the terminals of the yoke 6 are extended, as at 50, beyond the pivots at opposite to the boom 10, and weights 51 are slidable on said extensions and are secured in place by means of set scre 52. These weights can be adjusted so that the boom 10 will be balanced, to move upwardly and downwardly freely, and to remain in or assume a normal position, as seen in 1.

The carriage or truck 2 comprises suitable body or dec; 52 having bearings 53 at the lower surface mounted on transverse axles 54: to which the wheels 55 are secured. As seen in Fig. 1, the wheels at one side have smooth broad tread surfaces 56 to travel on one rail 57, while the wheels 55 at the opposite sides have annular peripheral grooves 58 to engage the other rail 59 of a track. The track can extend along the floor, on a bench, or the like, for the movement of the carriage from place to place, and angle irons are conveniently used for the rails. The grooves 58 in engaging one rail, will prevent the transverse shifting of the wheels on such rail, and the broad smooth tread surfaces 56 of the opposite wheels can travel on the rail 57 even though the rails are not strictly parallel or are laid with slight vari ations in gauge. The wheels 55 are als provided with rubber tires 60 of larger diameter than the portions of the treads of the wheels which run on the rails, so that the carriage can be run on the floor or other surface without scratching or mar-ring the most delicate surface, and to also cushion the carriage to eliminate noise and jars or shocks. The carriage can thus be conveniently run on a track, or removed from the track and pushed around over the iioor or bench.

The turntable stand incl'lules an upright bearing 61 having a base flange 62 secured on the carriage body 52, and in which a post 63 is fitted, and a depending bearing or has a flange 65 at its upper end on which the turntable 9 is secured, said bearing 6% being fitted on the post 63 and resting on the bearing 61. The turntable 9 can thus be turned on the post 63 to turn the boom 10 around a vertical axis.

in operation, a great latitude of flexibility of the mechanism enables the tool or implement to be applied to the work in practically all positions, so that the mechanism will conform to various requirements and conditions. There are seven distinct adjustments, which can be made either individually or jointly with one another, that will enable the tool or implement to be manipulated in a great many ways, sufiicient for practically all needs. First, the carriage 2 can be moved on the track or surface. Second, the turntable 9 can be turned about a vertical axis. Third, the boom 10 can be swung upwardl and downwardly about a horizontal axis in the different positions of the turntable. Fourth, the yoke 18 can be swung around the shaft 18 with the arm 17. Fifth, sections 20, 27 and 28 of the arm can be swung about the pivot 22. Llixth, the yoke 26 can be swung about the pivot 25. Seventh, the yoke 27 can be turned about the axis of the arm 17.

The mechanism is conveniently used in the shop, factory or on the premises of a building under construction, to enable various tools or implements to be driven effectively, and permitting such implements to be moved about and positioned according to the work to be done. The machine is also readily moved about to be used by different workmen or for difierent jobs.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A mechanism of the character described comprising a motor, a support for the motor, a boom, operating means carried by the boom and connected to the motor, and. means for pivotally supporting the boom and adjustable to bring the axis of the pivot into alinement with the axis of the motor.

2. A mechanism of the character described comprising a motor, a boom, operating means carried by the boom and operatively connected with the motor, and means for supporting said motor and boomior the swinging movement of the boom and to adj ustthe motor and boom relatively to bring the axis of the'motor and pivotal axis of theboom in alinement.

3. A mechanism .olthe character described comprising a motor, a support or the motor, a boom, operating means carried by the boom and connected with the motor, and an adjustable mounting for the boom including a post carried by said support-and having a slot, and a pivot for the boom adjustable in said slot to .aline with the axis of the 1 motor. j

at. A mechanism of the character described comprising a motor, asupport for the mo tor, a boom having a yoke disposed astride the motor and ,pivotally mounted on said support to move partly around said motor, and operating means carried by the boom and operatively' connected with said motor.

5. A flexible operating mechanism according to claim A wherein the yoke has an extended terminal, and. a Weight adjustable on said terminal to counterbalance the boom and operating means.

i 6. A mechanism of the character described comprising a motor, a base for the motor, a pairof posts rising from the base and having [vertical slots,'pivots adjustable in said slots to aline with the axis of the motor, a boom having a yoke disposed astride the motor and engaging said pivots, endoperating means, carried by the boom and connected With the motor. i

7. A mechanism of the character described com risin a motor havin a dulle Wheel 29 J 3 axis of said means, a member adjustable on the boom, shaft carried by said member, a pulley Wheel on said shaft, a belt passing around said pulley Wheels, and flexible operating means connected to said shait.

9. A mechanism of the character described comprising a flexible arm, a bushing at the tree terminal of saidarm and extended. from the arm for the engagement of a bearingor member thereon, a tubularv spindle rotatable vin said bushing for receiving a'mandrel,

shank or shaft, and flexible means extend ing along the arnifor rotating said spindle.

10. A mechanism of the character described comprising a flexible arm, pair oi? bushings carried by the arm at the free terminal thereof, one of the bushingsbeing extended for the engagement of a bearing or member thereon and having means for the engagementof a catch for holding the hear- .ing or member inplace, a tubular spindle mounted for rotation in said bushings, a pulley Wheel secured on said spindle between the bushings, said spindle having means for the attachment oi? a mandrel, shank orshaxtt therein, and a belt extending along said "arm and passing around said pulley wheel.

11. A mechanism of the character described comprising a shaft, an arm having one end engaging said shaft and having a plurality of sections, two sectionshaving an adjustable connection and two sections a islidable connection, spring means between the lastnamed sections for separating them,

a spindle carried by-the other end portion of the arm, pulley Wheels on said shaft and spindle, and a belt extendlng along said arm and passing around said pulley WhBGlSl 12; A flexible operating mechanism having a flexible arm with a free terminal por tion provided with a portion for the engagement of a hearing or a member, a spindle mounted. in said terminal portion of the arm, and flexible means extending along the arm for rotating said spindle, the spindle being formed for the engagement of a mandrel,

shank or shaft.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

P. L. BILLINGSLEY 

